If it's so dangerous, why hasn't the FAA shut Mesa down? If I were behind the Baron, how is it I passed my multi-commercial checkride? How is it that 1900 FOs are upgrading to CRJ captains? Is that dangerous as well? As tightly regulated as aviation is, wouldn't such blatantly dangerous operations be stopped by the FAA? Is having a captain with 100 hours on type dangerous, especially when he has a 300-hour pilot sitting right seat? I'm sure we could come up with some really sensational and scary answers to these questions. I'm also certain that a few of the 1,200 hour CFIs in my ERJ class are now wishing they took the CRJ systems class and the sim time, and that maybe, just maybe, it's debatable that the MAPD pilot development program actually prepares people to fly the CRJ as much (in a different way, of course) as sitting right seat watching someone else fly while telling them how to do so.

All that's going on here is that Mesa has a business model that works for them. Obviously, it doesn't fit the agenda of many people- that's fine, we all have differences of opinion, and that's what makes the world go 'round. While we can and should all voice opinions, demonizing, telling others how they should pursue their career and lousy attitudes get one nowhere. I certainly understand the need to vent and this is a great forum to do so. But, in my opinion, being happy, grateful and having a realistic perspective on what drives business and creates opportunities makes for a much happier life.